Chile's biggest windfarm becomes operational

CHILE - GDF Suez inaugurated the 38-megawatt (MW) Monte Redondo Wind Park, the biggest windfarm in Chile.

The windfarm, which is located in Ovalle, in the Comquimbo region, will be operated by Eolica Monte Redondo S.A., a fully owned subsidiary of GDF Suez. Construction was the result of a $100 million investment and eight months of work.

Monte Redondo Park has 19 V90, 2-MW wind turbines and generators that were built by Vestas Wind Systems A/S in Europe and shipped to Chile. Each turbine was installed on top of a 289-foot tower. In February 2009, Eolica Monte Redondo signed an agreement with GCE Distribucion, according to which the later commits itself to buying 100 gigawatt-hours per year for the next 14 years, starting from January 1, 2010, and then to supply the energy to the Central Interconnected System. Through this project, CO2 emissions will be reduced by 54,000 tons per year.